Novel eyewear

ABSTRACT

Novel eyewear are disclosed which comprise a lens and a sealing frame. The lens is adapted to cover at least one of a user&#39;s eyes. The frame has an adhesive side and is disposed adjacent the perimeter of the lens. A first portion of the adhesive side is disposed at the perimeter of the lens forming a seal between the frame and the lens. A second portion of the adhesive side extends laterally beyond the perimeter of said lens to provide adhesive attachment of the eyewear to the face of the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to eyewear, specifically to goggles and eyeshields, that provide protection and/or vision enhancement, particularlywhere a closely conforming, flexible material contacts the areasurrounding the eye for the purpose of sealing a lens or shield againstthe wearer's face for activities such as swimming. The eyewear can alsobe used in medical applications for protection against exposure to bodyfluids, or in recreational applications such as sunglasses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Goggles are commonly used to keep a user's eyes isolated from thesurrounding atmosphere. For example, swimming goggles are utilized toprotect the eyes from water. Other goggles, such as protective goggles,prevent exposure of the users eyes to toxins or contaminated material,such as blood or eye irritants. Goggles may also be used to protect theeyes from harmful or undesirable environmental conditions, such as coldor dry air or sand or dust in the air. Goggles may also be used toretain a particular fluid or gas in contact with the user's eyes orface.

[0003] Generally speaking, eye goggle designs employ soft, spongymaterial between the area surrounding a user's eyes and the perimeter ofthe goggle lens and a head strap to hold the goggles in place againstthe wearer's face. For example, traditional swimming goggles seal eacheyepiece or lens against the face in a water tight manner by the elasticforce of a head strap pulling the eyepiece against the face, and suctionforces created during the fitting of the goggles onto the user's face,leaving negative pressure inside the eyepiece.

[0004] It is well known in the art that these forces create pressurepoints and a certain amount of discomfort in exchange for a water-tightfit. Greater forces generally impart greater discomfort, but also a moresecure fit against leakage.

[0005] Traditional, strap-type swimming goggles can slip off of thewearer's face during diving or flip-turns where the wearer is moving athigher velocity through the water than when simply swimming. It would bedesirable to have goggles that provide a more secure fit and a lowprofile to reduce drag and that will remain in place on the user's face.In medical applications, the wearer being an EMT, surgeon or other typeof health care provider, would benefit from a disposable, inexpensiveeye shield that not only protects the wearer from fluid exposure, butalso the patient from possible contamination of sweat dripping from thehealth care worker onto or into the patient.

[0006] Thus, it is desirable to develop a goggle design that provides asubstantially water-tight seal for a user's eyes that eliminates orreduces the need for straps or elastic bands or requirements foradditional forces to retain the goggles in place over the user's eyes.

[0007] It is also desirable to develop a face or eye shield design thatprovides isolation of a users eyes or face that eliminates or reducesthe need for straps or elastic bands or the requirement for additionalforces to retain the face or eye shield in place over the user's face oreyes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of this invention is to provide an economical yetprecisely made, preferably optically clear eyewear such as goggles whichextends broadly the range of comfortable fit for a user requiringclosely conforming eye protection.

[0009] The present invention provides eyewear for protection of a user'seyes and isolation thereof from the outside environment. The eyeweargenerally comprises two components, namely a lens and a sealing frame.The lens is adapted to cover at least one of a user's eyes. The sealingframe has an adhesive side, which is disposed along the perimeter ofsaid lens. A first portion of the sealing frame adhesive side isdisposed at the perimeter of said lens forming a substantially airtightor watertight seal between said frame and said lens. A second portion ofsealing frame adhesive side extends from said first portion laterallybeyond the perimeter of said lens. The second portion provides a meansfor forming a substantially airtight or watertight seal between thesealing frame and at least a portion of the users face adjacent theperimeter of said lens.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the interior side of the lens has afog resistant coating. In another preferred embodiment, the lens has UVprotection incorporated therein or thereon. The exterior side of thelens may optionally have a water-shedding coating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of eyewear according to the presentinvention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of eyewear according to the presentinvention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of eyewear according to thepresent invention along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3a is a partial, magnified cross section of an end of theeyewear 3 a in FIG. 3.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of eyewear according to the presentinvention in cross section.

[0016]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of eyewear according to the presentinvention

[0017]FIG. 6 is a pictorial cross section of eyewear according to thepresent invention as worn by a user.

[0018]FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of eyewear according to the presentinvention as partially packaged with a backing layer.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of eyewearaccording to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 9 an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of eyewearaccording to the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofeyewear according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022]FIGS. 1 and 2 show eyewear 10 in accordance with the presentinvention. Eyewear 10 generally provides protection to the eyes of auser during use by isolating the user's eyes from the outsideenvironment. In an alternative embodiment, this eyewear can be used toretain a particular fluid or gas in contact with the user's eyes orface.

[0023] The eyewear 10 generally comprises two components, namely a lens12 and a frame 14. The lens 12 is adapted to cover at least one of auser's eyes. At least a portion, and preferably the entire lens 12 istransparent. In an alternative embodiment, however, the lens is opaque,thereby preventing all visible light from passing through the lens tothe user's eyes. The lens material may be flexible, semi-rigid or rigidin nature. If the lens material is semi-rigid or rigid, the contour ofthe lens should generally conform to the shape and contours of theuser's face. This is particularly desirable around the user's eyes toaccommodate the users eyes behind the lens and away from the environmentfrom which protection is desirable. The lens material, however, isflexible in nature, thereby allowing the lens 12 to conform to the shapeand contours of a user's face around the user's eyes. This provides forgreater freedom from a manufacturing perspective to the extent that auniform lens can be manufactured from a flexible material for a segmentof users, thereby averting the need to customize the lens for each usersince the lens will conform to the contours of users face duringapplication of the eyewear onto the user's face.

[0024] Suitable materials for the lens include polyvinyl chloride (PVC),acrylics, polyester film, such as Mylar (commercially available fromDupont), and polystyrene including general-purpose polystyrene and highimpact polystyrene. The lens material can be virtually any type ofmaterial that can be designed to fit and generally conform to the shapeof the user's face and around the user's eye socket. The lens materialis preferably a transparent, plastic material. In one embodiment, thematerial is a thin film of transparent, flexible plastic material thatis sized such that the perimeter of the lens runs along the contours ofthe user's face beyond the users eye sockets to fit outside the user'sorbit.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, lens materialcomprises a clear plastic material such as 2 mil thick polystyrene. Thelens material may be coated to resist fogging as well as protect againstUV penetration. Also, the exterior of the lens preferably has awater-shedding coating, which is particularly useful in an embodimentfor use as a swim goggle.

[0026] The frame 14 of the eyewear 10 has an adhesive side 16, which isdisposed adjacent or runs generally along the perimeter 18 of the lens12. A first portion of the frame adhesive side is disposed at theperimeter of said lens forming a substantially airtight or watertightseal between said frame and said lens. A second portion of sealing frameadhesive side extends from said first portion laterally beyond theperimeter of said lens. The second portion provides a means for forminga substantially airtight or watertight seal between the sealing frameand at least a portion of the user's face adjacent the perimeter of saidlens.

[0027] Suitable material for the frame 14 is a flexible, compliant,preferably elastic material that will conform to the contours of theuser's face. The frame material will have an adhesive characteristic onat least the portion defining the adhesive side 16. Thus, the frame maycomprise flexible, compliant adhesive material which possesses thedesirable adhesive properties or may comprise flexible, compliantmaterial to which has been applied an adhesive substance providing theadhesive properties. Such materials are well known in the art.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame materialcomprises a hypoallergenic material such as 3M Corporation's MedicalSpecialties Health care division's product number 1526, being a 3.6 milthick, transparent, polyethylene film, coated on one side with ahypoallergenic pressure sensitive acrylate adhesive. The tape issupplied on a polyethylene-coated, bleached Kraft paper liner, with abasis weight of 63 pounds, silicone coated one side, which has a nominalcaliper of 4.9 mil. According to 3M product clinical data summaries forsafety testing, the 1526 material has been subjected to the safety teststhat provide adequate hypoallergenic properties.

[0029] In FIGS. 3 and 3a, frame 14 is shown disposed adjacent lens 12and adhesively attached thereto particularly along perimeter 18 of lens12. As seen in FIG. 3a, frame end 114 overlays lens end 112 such thatthe frame end 114 extends beyond perimeter 18 of lens 12. As describedpreviously, frame 14 has an adhesive side that provides assembly of theeyewear 10 along a first portion 130 of frame 14. Further, the adhesiveside 16 of frame 14 provides a means of adhesive attachment to the faceof a user, preferably in a releasable manner, along a second portion 132of frame 14. Although the construction of the eyewear is illustratedherein as provided by adhesive attachment between the frame and lens,any means of attachment between the frame and lens in the first portionof the frame that is known in the art can be utilized for suchconstruction. This would include laser bonding, melt bonding or pressurebonding. Irrespective of the means of construction, the frame shouldhave an adhesive or tacky material along the second portion thereof toprovide preferably releasable attachment to a wearer's face.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame materialcomprises a hypoallergenic material such as 3M Corporation's MedicalSpecialties Health care division's product number 1526 provides releasefrom the wearer's face with little or no discomfort. According to 3Mproduct testing, the 1526 material exhibits the following materialproperties:

[0031] (1) Adhesion to steel: Minimum 850 g/25 mm 30 oz/in (8.33 N/25mm)

[0032] (2) Liner release: Maximum 50 g (0.49 N)/25 mm

[0033] (3) Tape caliper w/o liner: 5.0 mils-1.0 mil

[0034] (4) Product as specified above in 1-3 as supplied in originalpackaging, will maintain stated test properties for a period of 2 years,when stored at a temperature between 50-80 degrees F. and a relativehumidity between 40-60 percent.

[0035] In FIG. 4 is shown again lens 12 and frame 14 which generallymake up the novel eyewear of the present invention. Frame 14 overlayslens 12 where adhesive side of the frame 14 is attached or secured tolens 12 at first portion 30 and partially exposed at second portion 32to secure to a user's face. Frame 14 generally runs along perimeter 18of lens 12. In addition to providing adhesive means for preferablyreleasable attachment to a user's face, second portion 32 provides forreleasable attachment to a backing layer prior to usage by a user.During assembly of the eyewear 10, and also afterwards during storage,second portion 32 of frame 14 provides releasable attachment to amaterial such as a backing layer.

[0036] Tab 50 is an appendage upon which can be placed a logo or otheridentifying indicia. Tab 50 provides more importantly a portion of frame40 from which a user can grasp to remove the eyewear assembly from thebacking layer used during storage or from the user's face once the useris done using the eyewear and wants to dispose of the eyewear. Thus, tab50 provides for easy removal from backing paper and for placement ofinsignia or logo.

[0037]FIG. 5 generally shows the construction of eyewear 10. Eyewear 10generally comprises a two-piece construction comprising lens 12 andframe 14, where lens 14 overlays lens 12 generally along the perimeter18 of lens 12. As described previously, a first portion 30 providessubstantially airtight or watertight seal to lens 12 and second portion32 extends beyond perimeter 18 of lens 12.

[0038]FIG. 6 shows the eyewear 10 in use. Lens 12 covers a wearer's eye.Frame 14 comprising first portion 30 and second portion 32 runs alongperimeter 18 of lens 12. First portion 30 provides suitable attachmentto lens 12 while second portion 32 extend beyond perimeter 18 andpreferably beyond any facial hair of the wearer such as the eyebrows tosecure to wearer's skin in a releasable fashion. FIG. 6 also illustrateshow frame 12 follows the contours of the wearer's face particularlyalong the bridge of the nose.

[0039]FIG. 7 generally illustrates how the eyewear 10 could be packagedfor use by a wearer. The eyewear assembly comprising lens 12 and frame14 can be positioned on a backing layer 80 during storage and transportwhereby second portion 32 provides releasable attachment to backing 80.Tab 50 provides an appendage from which a wearer can remove eyewear 10from backing 80.

[0040] Backing 80 can be any suitable material that is complimentary toadhesive side 16 of frame 14 to provide releasable attachment of theeyewear to backing 80. Polyethylene coated, bleached Kraft paper liner,preferably with a basis weight of 63 pounds, silicone coated one side,which has a nominal caliper of 4.9 mil is a suitable material.

[0041] The user, after opening the packaging (not shown), removes theassembled eyewear 10 and applies it directly to their face, coveringtheir eyes.

[0042]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the novel eyewear.Eyewear 210 comprises lens 212 and frame 214 having a perimeter 218.Frame 214 have a plurality of notches 220 that provide betterarrangement of eyewear around the contours of a user's face. Thegeometry of the frame 214 allows for easier manufacturing of the eyewear210. For ease of manufacture, eyewear 210 is made of generally flatmaterials. The generally flat assembly in order to more readily conformto the user's facial structure incorporates a plurality of notches 220to aid in conforming to the contours of a wearer's face. For example, asthe frame 214 and lens 212 conforms to the contours of a wearers facearound the nose of the wearer, the tips or points of the facets at thenose area move closer together as they follow the projected curvature ofthe nose. Without the facets, lens 214 would buckle, folding ontoitself, creating the potential for leaks as well as increasing dragagainst water in competitive swimming events. Just as in previousembodiments, frame 214 runs along perimeter 218 of lens 212.

[0043]FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the novel eyewear.This alternative embodiment could be useful for medical application as aprotective splash shield from bodily fluids. The lens 312 is oversizedand extends horizontally to the user's temple and vertically, well abovethe brow line. The frame 314 runs along a lower half of the perimeter318 of lens 312, leaving the upper half of this eyewear embodiment opento the environment. The frame has first and second portions that adhere,respectively, to the lens along the perimeter and the cheek and nose ofthe user on a lower half of the eyewear. This allows for free airmovement between the lens 312 and the user's face along the top portionof the alternative embodiment. The free exchange of air ensures that nofog will form on the inside of the lens 312 to ensure maximum visibilityfor the health care worker.

[0044]FIG. 10 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the noveleyewear. In this alternative embodiment, the eyewear includes lens 412and frame 414 and further comprises nose pad 460. Frame 414 runs alongperimeter 418 of lens 412 in an upper half of same. Nose pad 460 is amaterial comprising a ¼ in thick, high grade, non-toxic, non-skinirritating, vinyl foam material such as Gaska Tape, Inc.'s productMC2010-NA, which provides a cushioned support of the lens 412 on thewearer's face adjacent the bridge of the nose. In a preferred embodimentof the alternative invention, the lens 412 material comprises a 5 milpolyester film, such as Dupont's Mylar brand product with UV protectiveproperties and tinting for glare reduction.

[0045] Partial frame 414 adheres to the temple and brow line of the userallowing for free air movement between the lens 412 and the user's facealong the lower portion of the alternative embodiment. The free exchangeof air ensures that no fog will form on the inside of the lens 412 toensure maximum visibility for the user. The seal created along the browline by the partial frame 414 also ensures that during activity as theuser sweats the sweat will be shielded from the eyes and it cannot passbetween the frame 414, the lens 412 and the user. Frame 412 includes atab 450.

[0046] In the case of infants and smaller children or during aggressivesports, the adhesive properties of the frame ensures that the eyewearstays in place and provide consistent UV protection, where traditionalglasses can easily fall off during activity. In a medical applicationfor treatment of jaundice in infants using UV light to reduce bilirubinamounts where the lens is opaque to protect the eyes from the sun lampused to cure such condition.

Manufacturing Process

[0047] Materials

[0048] Sealing frame material is preferably a medical grade, plastic,conformable adhesive tape that is coated with a hypoallergenic, pressuresensitive adhesive. Exposed, non-adhesive side is capable of acceptingprinting for graphic and text treatments. The adhesive is applied duringtape manufacture by the tape maker, such as 3M Corporation. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, frame material comprises ahypoallergenic material such as 3M Corporation's Medical SpecialtiesHealth care division's product number 1526, being a 3.6 mil thick,transparent, polyethylene film, coated on one side with a hypoallergenicpressure sensitive acrylate adhesive. The tape is supplied on apolyethylene coated, bleached Kraft paper liner, with a basis weight of63 pounds, silicone coated one side, which has a nominal caliper of 4.9mil. According to 3M product clinical data summaries for safety testing,the 1526 material has been subjected to suitable safety tests.

[0049] Lens material is preferably a plastic, semi-rigid, conformable,transparent material that can be clear or tinted. Lens material can betreated so that the interior will resist fogging as well as the exteriortreated to reduce or eliminate the passage of ultraviolet light.

[0050] The assembled sealing frame and lens is mounted to a releasebacking 80, which is removed and disposed of by the wearer prior toplacement on their face. The tape is supplied on a polyethylene coated,bleached Kraft paper liner, with a basis weight of 63 pounds, siliconecoated one side, which has a nominal caliper of 4.9 mil.

[0051] The entire assembly is enclosed within a thin, waxed paperpackage (not shown) to protect the product during shipment.

[0052] Production Process

[0053] The sealing frame and lens materials can be cut to net shapeusing a CNC knife plotter or using a die cutting process, (hereinafterreferred to generically as a cutting machine). In either case, the basematerial is supplied in rolls with pin-fed registration holes along eachedge lengthways. The material is fed into the cutting machine at acontrolled rate where multiple segments are cut progressively orsimultaneously. Once cut the web or waste material is removed anddisposed of or recycled. The lens and sealing frame components areassembled by placing the lens onto the sealing frame such that theadhesive on the sealing frame overlaps onto the lens border causing abond between the materials; however, as described previously, the framematerial extends laterally beyond the edge of the lens material toprovide adhesive means for preferably releasable attachment to thewearers face. Once assembled a release backing is applied, the finishedassembly is then packaged for individual sale.

[0054] Construction means via converting the base materials, which aresupplied in rolls are as follows. First slitting the base materials intonominal widths providing ample area to nest the finished shaped partswithin. Net shape of the finished parts is achieved through automatedrotary or steel rule die cutting operations where the lens is cut freefrom the base material web and the frame is kiss cut where the web isremoved from the Kraft backing leaving the frame on the backing. Lensand frame are roll joined, printed, packaged and cut down intoindividual packages.

1. Eyewear comprising: a lens adapted to cover at least one of a user'seyes; and a sealing frame having an adhesive side, said frame disposedadjacent the perimeter of said lens, wherein a first portion of saidadhesive side is disposed at the perimeter of said lens forming a sealbetween said frame and said lens and a second portion of said adhesiveside extends laterally beyond the perimeter of said lens.
 2. The eyewearas claimed in claim 1 wherein said second portion provides a means forforming a substantially airtight and water tight seal between said frameand at least a portion of the user's face adjacent the perimeter of saidlens.
 3. The eyewear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame has anadhesive on a side opposite the exposed side of the frame disposedbetween the frame and, in one portion, the face of the user and, in asecond portion, between the frame and the lens.
 4. Eyewear comprising:a) a lens adapted to cover at least one of a user's eyes; and b) asealing frame adjacent the perimeter of the lens, said frame comprisinga compliant and resiliently deformable material suitable to conform to auser's face and forming a seal between the frame and at least a portionof the user's face along the perimeter of the lens; wherein said framehas an adhesive side disposed, in one portion, adjacent the user's faceand, in a second portion, adjacent the perimeter of the lens.
 5. Eyewearcomprising: a) a sealing frame comprising a thin layer of compliantmaterial and having opposed surfaces, an adhesive side; and b) a lensadapted to cover at least one of the user's eyes, wherein a firstportion of the frame is disposed along the perimeter of the lens and asecond portion of the frame extends beyond the perimeter of the lens andis adapted to conform to the shape of a user's face.